The investigation revealed that five Israelis arrested during the special operation were members of a criminal group involved in the illegal transportation of tobacco products. They were detained in the fishing port of Larnaca while loading 10,503 packs of cigarettes onto a ship that was possibly supposed to rendezvous with another ship off the coast of Cyprus.

According to the investigation, the goods were purchased in the occupied territories. In addition to tobacco, about 50,000 euros in cash, expensive watches, cars and a package of cocaine were seized from them.

Interpol and the Israeli authorities are involved in the investigation to identify the entire smuggling chain.

@cyprus_control